Integrated circuit memory devices include a semiconductor substrate and a
bit line on the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of memory cells is
also provided. Each of these magnetic memory cells includes a magnetic
storage element, a magnetic flux focusing layer on the magnetic storage
element and an electrically insulating layer extending between the bit
line and the magnetic flux focusing layer. This electrically insulating
layer may contact an upper surface of the magnetic flux focusing layer
and a lower surface of the bit line. The magnetic memory cell further
includes a non-ferromagnetic electrically conductive layer extending
between the magnetic flux focusing layer and the magnetic storage
element. The electrically insulating layer is configured to cause current
passing in a first direction (e.g., vertical direction) from the magnetic
storage element to the non-ferromagnetic electrically conductive layer
during a cell writing operation to spread laterally in the magnetic flux
focusing layer (and non-ferromagnetic electrically conductive layer) in a
second direction (e.g., lateral direction), which is orthogonal to the
first direction. The magnetic flux focusing layer may be formed of a
ferromagnetic material, such as NiFe.